Youth Trends 2022: Thoughts, life, future and design

Oh, how hopeful we all were looking into the year 2021. Finally, a world free from COVID, back to regular school lessons, and meeting friends in real life without restrictions. Well… that didn’t quite work out, as reality caught up with us faster than we’d hoped. So, as school started again in late summer, we stumbled into another pandemic school year, partly with homeschooling and digital friendships. It’s no surprise that this ongoing situation, now nearly two years long, has had a major impact on Generation Z. Back in July 2021, the Federal Institute for Population Research published a study confirming that school closures and reduced social contacts were extremely stressful for students – a fact we, unfortunately, can confirm.

In November 2021, we at scoolio once again conducted a trend survey focused on the perception of the past year and expectations for 2022.

Students from our community as well as young people on social media were invited to participate. The survey was anonymous and voluntary. We are thrilled that so many teenagers contribute every year, helping us understand how Gen Z thinks and allowing us to amplify their voices.

But our survey wasn’t just about students’ mental health. We wanted to know how social media usage has evolved, what topics are currently trending, which emerging graphic trends are gaining popularity, which careers are most in demand, and which influencers are considered the most trustworthy.

2021-2022: The Topics That Matter Most to Gen Z

Uncontested at number one is still “Corona” with its never-ending hit song “Vaccination.” But all jokes aside—COVID remains the most talked-about topic, influencing students’ daily lives. Wearing masks in classrooms and during breaks has become the norm. Despite being digital natives, Gen Z still values in-person interactions with classmates and teachers. Many students are particularly focused on vaccinations, as they long for a return to normal learning conditions. This brings us to the topic of education. Many students complain about the severe backlog in the curriculum. While they have managed to self-motivate and study independently, most still see the missed learning material as a major challenge. This is especially concerning for final-year students who are preparing for their graduation exams.

Environmental and climate protection also remain key issues for young people. Heatwaves in North America with record-breaking temperatures of up to 49.6°C and the flood disaster in Western and Central Europe—especially in Germany—have further reinforced their commitment to climate neutrality. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram ensure that young people stay up to date with global events, giving them a more active perspective on these issues than previous generations. Political decisions, such as those made at the UN Climate Conference in Glasgow, were closely followed by many.

As a result, environmental and climate protection have sparked greater political interest among Gen Z. Even though many students were not yet eligible to vote in the 2021 German federal election, their willingness to engage with party platforms and electoral processes significantly increased compared to 2017.

Another major concern this year was their future career path. “What will I do after school?” Many young people feel uncertain about their options. Should they pursue an apprenticeship or a university degree? And how will COVID affect these opportunities? Most students have a rough idea of the field they want to work in but wish for more information about the different career paths available within those fields. As one student put it, “I’d like to work in social services, but I have no idea what jobs are available there.”

Social Media: Video! Video! Video!

We wanted to know which social media platforms Gen Z uses daily. Compared to 2020, the "Big 4" have shifted significantly. YouTube, which was in fourth place last year, now takes the top spot. It is followed closely by TikTok, the ultimate social media app. This puts TikTok just ahead of Snapchat and Instagram, which were the leaders in 2020. A new favorite among teens is the community platform Discord. Thanks to COVID, the service became the perfect hub for chat, voice, and video, leading to a surge in group servers. Facebook, on the other hand, has become completely irrelevant to Gen Z. While it still appeared in our 2020 survey results, this year it dropped out entirely with a mere 2.7% usage rate.

The reason behind YouTube and TikTok’s dominance is simple—video content! Over the past two years, TikTok has demonstrated how easy it is to present information in short, engaging clips. Of course, many use the platform purely for entertainment. However, educational content creators like @heeyleonie, @niklaskolorz, and @doc.felix have gained traction by explaining history, astronomy, and medicine in an easily digestible way. Even on Instagram, stories have become more important than image posts. Many large Instagram pages now focus almost entirely on stories and reels, as static posts receive less visibility due to Instagram’s algorithm.

Gen Z and COVID: Lost Learning, Identity Struggles, and Self-Doubt

The past two years have had a profound impact on students. Not only has their school routine been turned upside down, but their psyche and personal development have also been heavily influenced by the pandemic. Masks in classrooms and during breaks are now the norm. Digital learning and homeschooling have become second nature. Many students now prefer using tablets over traditional notebooks and pens. However, one major concern is the increased stress and stricter learning environment compared to pre-pandemic times. Additionally, many students feel their relationships with teachers have deteriorated.

On the positive side, self-organization and independent learning have improved significantly. This is largely because students want to avoid further curriculum gaps. Beyond academics, many have experienced a shift in their personal identity. The homeschooling period provided ample time for self-reflection, leading many to develop greater maturity, independence, and self-acceptance. However, for some, self-doubt, depression, and lack of motivation have increased. Many students describe themselves as far more introverted than they were before the school closures.

Both the SWR and the Ärzteblatt have warned about the long-term psychological impact of COVID on young people.

Related Articles